by Jessie Goh

source: Geek2God

A pair of good jeans is an essential piece for all men but how often do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of variety, colours, cuts, style and wash when you walk into a shop? How often have you bought a pair of jeans and realized that it was not right for you? How often have you looked at yourself and felt ridiculous but was compelled to buy because the hot sales girl just told you that girls will fall head over heels for you when you have those jeans? There is no need to be afraid any longer, this post will help you in the battle of the jeans.

What is the occasion?

Before you even step out of the house, you need to decide why are you buying a new pair of jeans. Is it for a hot date, casual barbeque, party or are you wearing them to meet the in-laws? For instance, if you are meeting the in-laws, you will not want to be seen in a pair of jeans that are hanging off your bum. Instead you may want to look a little more polish in a pair of neat boot cut jeans to impress. Also, if you are going out for dinner to a nice restaurant, you should stay away from ripped out jeans, soiled jeans, jeans with smears and you get the message here. However, if you are going to a rock concert, the sky is the limit. There is no one to stop you from what you should or should not wear. Usually, the more outrageous your dressing is, the better you will fit into the crowd.

Fit

This is the most important aspect of a good fitting pair of jeans and that is YOU HAVE TO TRY ON THE JEANS! Put them on in the shop and do the following in the change room:

• Squat in them
• Sit down and
• Walk around the change room area.

All of the above actions need to be performed with ease. Spend a few minutes wearing them while in the change room. This will give you a better idea of the fit of the jeans. Jeans need to be snug in the correct areas and not overly tight. If the jeans feel tight anywhere, then they are the wrong size. You have to be able to sit and squat comfortably in the jeans too.

Also, you will need to check the length of the jeans. If they are too long, you can get a tailor to sew the original hem back into the jeans. When you are taking the measurement for the hemming, it is a good idea to wear the pair of shoes that will most likely be worn with the pair of jeans that will be hemmed. This makes sure that the jeans will not hang too short when you wear your shoes. Otherwise, you will look real dorky.

Cut and Style

The two most popular cuts are “Straight-leg” and “Bootcut”. Both fit generally suit all male body types. The Straight-leg is slightly fitted at the thigh and knee but drops straight down to the ankle without any tapering. This creates a look that skims the leg without a distinctive leg shape.  The Straight-leg is good for wearing with a shirt un-tucked for a dinner date.

The Bootcut is a favourite as it is slightly fitted at the knee and gently widens at the ankle to fit naturally over the boots. This shape compliments all body shapes as it covers the shoes slightly and thus hiding the laces. This cut is great for most occasions.

Budget

Finally, when it comes to buying the perfect pair of jeans, you need to to make sure you can afford them too. Essentially, you need to know what your budget is and go about shopping at the correct places. From Wal-Mart to Levis to Diesel, there are so many choices across a range of prices. Set your budget and stick to it.

A final word on jeans – Remember to try it on! Squat, run, walk, climb and do everything possible to get acquainted with what you intend to buy. Check out how it looks in the mirror – both front and rear. When in doubt, stick to the basic cuts such as Straight-leg and Bootcut.

Good luck!

by Jessie Goh

source: Geek2God